Veterinarian Salary in Denver, CO: $142,601 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Denver, CO earns a median $142,601/year (≈ $68.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Denver's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 105.8), that paycheck buys what $134,806 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Denver can expect a median annual salary of $142,601, which ranks above the national median of $137,334. This salary reflects the production-based compensation model prevalent in the industry, where income is often linked to the revenue generated by veterinary services. The salary range for this profession in Denver varies significantly, with entry-level positions earning around $91,046 and top earners making up to $230,068. This data, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlights the diverse opportunities available within the city’s veterinary market, suggesting a robust environment for both general practitioners and specialists.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $91,046 | $43.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $133,840 | $64.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $142,601 | $68.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $173,351 | $83.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $230,068 | $110.61 |
Median Salary Position
3.84% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Denver
In Denver, CO, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $139,022 (2026 est.). At $142,601, the local median is 3.84% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Denver: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Denver Veterinarian Pay Compares
Denver median: $142,601/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Denver Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $133,772 | +6.60% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +3.84% more |
Veterinarians in Denver, CO earn a median of $142,601 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.84% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 6.60% above the Colorado state average of $133,772.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Denver has a cost of living 5.78% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Denver, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105.782 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $142,601 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $134,806 — a 5.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$96,140
2025 BLS Actual
$135,090
2026 Current Est.
$142,601
2019–2027 Growth
+56.6%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Denver (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,140 | Actual |
| 2020 | $99,920 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,030 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,370 | Actual |
| 2025 | $135,090 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $142,601 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $150,530 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Denver metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 40.5% from $96,140 (2019) to $135,090 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $150,530 by 2027 — a total increase of $54,390 (56.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Denver metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.56% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $91,046 – $133,840 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $133,840 – $142,601 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $142,601 – $173,351 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $173,351 – $230,068 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Denver
Currently, there are approximately 1,160 veterinarians practicing in Denver, indicating a healthy local job market despite the rising cost of living, which stands at a CoL index of 105.782. This slightly above-average cost can impact take-home pay and purchasing power for veterinarians, especially those at the lower end of the pay scale. Interestingly, corporate veterinary chains like VCA and BluePearl dominate the market, comprising around 25% of local practices and often offering lucrative salaries and incentives, especially to new graduates in sought-after areas. In contrast, independent practices may provide a more challenging financial picture, contributing to the pay disparity. For veterinarians aiming to maximize their compensation in this competitive landscape, pursuing specialty board certifications or exploring ownership opportunities could significantly enhance earnings, particularly in high-demand areas like surgery or internal medicine.
More salary data for Denver, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM
Career Analyst
Dr. Alice Nguyen has 10 years of experience in veterinary medicine. She specializes in small animal surgery. She currently works at a suburban veterinary clinic.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $135,090 for veterinariansin the Denver metropolitan area. A 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.56%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for veterinarians (SOC 29-1131).
Compiled and verified by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM, a licensed veterinarian with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov